NO WORLD PARTY: GOLF VILLAGE EXPERIENCING SPARSE ATTENDANCE

Before the World Golf Village opened in May, the
"attraction was predicted to draw 1 million people in its
first 12 months," but so far it is "on pace to draw only
240,000 in its first year," according to Mattson & Daniels
of the FL TIMES-UNION. Resort officials admit that "it's
been a tough summer," but they say "business is increasing."
World Golf Foundation Exec Dir Ruffin Beckwith: "We
weathered what, in terms of attendance, will be the worst
four months of our history. But we knew that going in."
Village officials "had thought" the World Golf Hall of Fame
would be the site's top attraction, but it "has lagged
behind IMAX theater attendance." The hall drew 23,348 paid
admissions from its May 16 opening through August. Business
"has also been worse than expected" at the on-site resort
hotel and convention center. Beckwith said that less than
$1M is being spent on marketing this year, but next year the
village "will spend close" to $2M on marketing, with golf
groups adding an additional $4M (FL TIMES-UNION, 10/16).